On principle I try not to wish ill on anyone, but Alex Jones very much tests the limits of that philosophy. I am thrilled with this result and hope his remaining trials have similar outcomes. I...
On principle I try not to wish ill on anyone, but Alex Jones very much tests the limits of that philosophy. I am thrilled with this result and hope his remaining trials have similar outcomes.
I also feel like this case is significant beyond its on-paper outcome. First and foremost is that the full contents of Jones’s phone got turned over to the January 6 Commission. That was a completely unexpected outcome, and one that might prove pivotal (though I’m not getting my hopes up — my beleaguered jadedness is still holding on too strongly).
But second, this case demonstrates that there can be legitimate, significant consequences for misinformation. I hope a lot of other people are looking at this with worry. I realize it’s not a direct comment on that (he lost his case by default), but I still hope this chills people’s willingness to spread deliberate, malicious falsehoods.
An equitable person shouldn't feel ashamed of the satisfaction they derive from the correct application of justice, with all the penalties and sanctions it entails. While the perverse delights in...
An equitable person shouldn't feel ashamed of the satisfaction they derive from the correct application of justice, with all the penalties and sanctions it entails. While the perverse delights in the suffering of others, the righteous wishes only for the fair application of all that is fair and lawful -- and not an inch more.
Unfortunately, it won't be nearly as large a setback to his pocketbook because Abbott, hypocritically but what's new, spent a good part of his career making sure that no one would get a payout...
I am thrilled with this result and hope his remaining trials have similar outcomes.
Unfortunately, it won't be nearly as large a setback to his pocketbook because Abbott, hypocritically but what's new, spent a good part of his career making sure that no one would get a payout like he gets: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/08/alex-jones-verdict-damages/
See, now this is the exact kind of thing as to why my beleaguered jadedness is so strong in the first place. I wish I could believe that we’ll see influential people like Jones and Trump held to...
See, now this is the exact kind of thing as to why my beleaguered jadedness is so strong in the first place.
I wish I could believe that we’ll see influential people like Jones and Trump held to account for their malicious actions, but I’ve all but lost faith in that. Shame on me for thinking this particular instance would be any different, I guess.
The only solace here is that this is a single case against a single plaintiff and sets the precedent for every other family suing individually for the same.
The only solace here is that this is a single case against a single plaintiff and sets the precedent for every other family suing individually for the same.
I don't think Jones is out of the clear just yet. There's 3 more suits against him, that he already lost by default, so the proceedings are, like this one, just about determining damages. I cannot...
I don't think Jones is out of the clear just yet. There's 3 more suits against him, that he already lost by default, so the proceedings are, like this one, just about determining damages. I cannot imagine even with the best legal help, which he evidently does not have, it would be a very easy job to defend Alex Jones, in front of a jury, when there's the parents of a school shooting giving testimony.
Don't hate the repugnant man, hate the repugnant actions of the repugnant man and the incredible harm they did to society as a whole? There are plenty of repugnant people who have the good taste...
Don't hate the repugnant man, hate the repugnant actions of the repugnant man and the incredible harm they did to society as a whole? There are plenty of repugnant people who have the good taste to limit the foul offensive odor of their opinions to their dearest and closest repugnant friends and family.
In some ways Alex Jones pioneered the monetised paranoia that became a business model for so many online reactionaries. The world found a lot of these new misinformation tactics very hard to deal...
In some ways Alex Jones pioneered the monetised paranoia that became a business model for so many online reactionaries. The world found a lot of these new misinformation tactics very hard to deal with. It's only fitting that when society began to reorient and adapt to the new reality that it would begin with him. At least I'm hopeful that that's what this represents.
If there's anyone here that needs a primer on Alex Jones and what he does, NPR has a good summary. I also recommend Elizabeth Williamson's Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth...
If there's anyone here that needs a primer on Alex Jones and what he does, NPR has a good summary.
There is a lot about Jones that gets under my skin, but I'll share the one detail that I feel captures his extreme malice:
In 2019, Jeremy Richman -- one of the fathers of a Sandy Hook victim -- committed suicide. This was after years of Jones-based harassment that Richman's daughter Avielle didn't actually die and after Richman finally filed a defamation suit against Jones.
After the news of the death came out, Jones offered a message of condolence to the family through his lawyer:
“We note the tragic passing of Jeremy Richman with heavy hearts and profound sorrow,” he said. “Mr. Jones sends his condolences to Mr. Richman’s family and wishes only for peace.”
By his evening broadcast, Jones was singing a different tune, questioning if Richman’s death had indeed been a suicide and suggesting it had something to do with the investigation into Russian election meddling.
“I mean, is there going to be a police investigation? Are they going to look at the surveillance cameras? I mean, what happened to this guy? This whole Sandy Hook thing is, like, really getting even crazier,” Jones said.
Speculating that Richman had been murdered, Jones suggested that his death may have been a false flag, an accusation he made about the Sandy Hook shooting itself.
“Look, the good news of no collusion, the good news that I’m not a Russian agent comes out, and now this happens right on time. Just amazing,” he said.
Jones has absolutely no moral compass and in fact seems to revel in the opportunity to do harm to extremely vulnerable people.
It's notable that Alex Jones was ordered to pay $49.3M in total damages - $4.1 million in compensatory damages and an additional $45.2 million in punitive damages - but that Texas law is going to...
It's notable that Alex Jones was ordered to pay $49.3M in total damages - $4.1 million in compensatory damages and an additional $45.2 million in punitive damages - but that Texas law is going to chop that $45.2 million dollars down to about 750K because there is a limit for punitive damages, and the limit is not explained to juries because it would enable them to put more into compensatory damages as those are not limited. So he'll legally only be required to pay around $4.9M. On top of that, it's just plain unlikely that he'd pay anywhere near that much, and just deal with whatever fallout happens.
On principle I try not to wish ill on anyone, but Alex Jones very much tests the limits of that philosophy. I am thrilled with this result and hope his remaining trials have similar outcomes.
I also feel like this case is significant beyond its on-paper outcome. First and foremost is that the full contents of Jones’s phone got turned over to the January 6 Commission. That was a completely unexpected outcome, and one that might prove pivotal (though I’m not getting my hopes up — my beleaguered jadedness is still holding on too strongly).
But second, this case demonstrates that there can be legitimate, significant consequences for misinformation. I hope a lot of other people are looking at this with worry. I realize it’s not a direct comment on that (he lost his case by default), but I still hope this chills people’s willingness to spread deliberate, malicious falsehoods.
An equitable person shouldn't feel ashamed of the satisfaction they derive from the correct application of justice, with all the penalties and sanctions it entails. While the perverse delights in the suffering of others, the righteous wishes only for the fair application of all that is fair and lawful -- and not an inch more.
That's a beautiful sentiment, beautifully expressed. Thanks, lou.
There comes a time where the leeway runs out of exits and becomes a one way to Hell.
Sounds great, I'll have one of each!
Unfortunately, it won't be nearly as large a setback to his pocketbook because Abbott, hypocritically but what's new, spent a good part of his career making sure that no one would get a payout like he gets: https://www.texastribune.org/2022/08/08/alex-jones-verdict-damages/
See, now this is the exact kind of thing as to why my beleaguered jadedness is so strong in the first place.
I wish I could believe that we’ll see influential people like Jones and Trump held to account for their malicious actions, but I’ve all but lost faith in that. Shame on me for thinking this particular instance would be any different, I guess.
The only solace here is that this is a single case against a single plaintiff and sets the precedent for every other family suing individually for the same.
I don't think Jones is out of the clear just yet. There's 3 more suits against him, that he already lost by default, so the proceedings are, like this one, just about determining damages. I cannot imagine even with the best legal help, which he evidently does not have, it would be a very easy job to defend Alex Jones, in front of a jury, when there's the parents of a school shooting giving testimony.
Don't hate the repugnant man, hate the repugnant actions of the repugnant man and the incredible harm they did to society as a whole? There are plenty of repugnant people who have the good taste to limit the foul offensive odor of their opinions to their dearest and closest repugnant friends and family.
In some ways Alex Jones pioneered the monetised paranoia that became a business model for so many online reactionaries. The world found a lot of these new misinformation tactics very hard to deal with. It's only fitting that when society began to reorient and adapt to the new reality that it would begin with him. At least I'm hopeful that that's what this represents.
If there's anyone here that needs a primer on Alex Jones and what he does, NPR has a good summary.
I also recommend Elizabeth Williamson's Sandy Hook: An American Tragedy and the Battle for Truth for anyone interested in a book-length view.
There is a lot about Jones that gets under my skin, but I'll share the one detail that I feel captures his extreme malice:
In 2019, Jeremy Richman -- one of the fathers of a Sandy Hook victim -- committed suicide. This was after years of Jones-based harassment that Richman's daughter Avielle didn't actually die and after Richman finally filed a defamation suit against Jones.
After the news of the death came out, Jones offered a message of condolence to the family through his lawyer:
If we believed there was any sincerity in those words, Jones immediately proved us wrong, because he took the opportunity that same day to spin brand new conspiracy theories about Richman's death:
Jones has absolutely no moral compass and in fact seems to revel in the opportunity to do harm to extremely vulnerable people.
LegalEagle - Alex Jones Obliterated on Cross Because His Lawyer Sent His Cell Phone to Opposing Counsel (video).
That was great, thank you.
It's notable that Alex Jones was ordered to pay $49.3M in total damages - $4.1 million in compensatory damages and an additional $45.2 million in punitive damages - but that Texas law is going to chop that $45.2 million dollars down to about 750K because there is a limit for punitive damages, and the limit is not explained to juries because it would enable them to put more into compensatory damages as those are not limited. So he'll legally only be required to pay around $4.9M. On top of that, it's just plain unlikely that he'd pay anywhere near that much, and just deal with whatever fallout happens.
So that's fun.